I love avocados, sometimes (read: daily) stand on my head to get my creative juices flowing, and I could listen to The Beatles sing, “I’ve Just Seen A Face” everyday, for the rest of forever.

Wondering what goes on here? Yup, so are the rest of us.

1. I am a lifestyle photographer. I have the most remarkable clients in the world, and I share their images here to inspire us all to live life with greater love, meaning and joy.

2. I am a writer. This blog is full of many of the curious thinks I have thunk.

3. I am a speaker and life/business consultant. I post upcoming speaking engagements and consulting information here as well.

4. I am most fulfilled by my work as a wife and mother to my 4 sons, one of whom now lives in Heaven. I share bits and pieces of our journey here on this blog. Including our ongoing struggle with grief, our experiences with ADHD and SPD, and our solid faith in a God much bigger than the challenges we face.

But ultimately, I hope that this blog is about something much bigger than all of that.My dream is for this blog to be a place where real life comes to be celebrated and enthusiastically embraced. Not just the pretty stuff, with tailored hems, clean lines,and the new colors for spring . . . but everything else, too. The frazzled mornings, broken hearts, crazy dreams, messy kitchens. . . even the fear, failure, hopelessness and devastation. I want this blog to be a place for every bit of what makes us all living, breathing, feeling human beings, experiencing together this remarkable thing called life.

May this be a place of passion, purpose, laughter, tears, friendship, encouragement and inspiration for us all.

In 2010, our perfect *”Baby Gavin” returned to Heaven after losing a courageous battle with **Pertussis (whooping cough). We are eternally and profoundly grateful to the thousands upon thousands (upon thousands) of friends and strangers from all over the world, of all faiths and creeds, who united with our family in prayer during Baby Gavin’s horrific illness and who grieved with us and continued to petition God in our behalf during the dark days following his tragic death. You may read Gavin’s story as it unfolded by visiting my old blog here. I am committed to sharing my ongoing struggles with grief and our journey toward joy here on the new blog. I am always humbled and amazed by the continued outpouring of love and support. Thank you for sharing in our journey and inspiring us with your unceasing love! God is good!

*My brother Gavin passed away unexpectedly in 2007. With all these Angel Gavins, it can get a little confusing at times, so just know that when I refer to “Gavin” I’m referring to my wonderful brother. When I refer to “Baby Gavin,” it is in reference to my perfect son, both of whom I cannot wait to see in Heaven!

**You will periodically see me blog about The Sounds of Pertussis campaign. I am an unpaid spokesperson and am only compensated travel expenses where applicable for my involvement with this important cause. Join our fight against this deadly communicable disease at www.soundsofpertussis.com or like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/soundsofpertussis.

The response to The Breathe Intensive has been out of this world! I’m so excited, amazed really, by the way everything is coming together, from the wonderful women who will be attending, to the beautiful venue, to the exciting sponsors who have come on board to support us! I’m so full of gratitude and excitement that I feel like my heart is going to explode.

Now, I know you’re all dying to hear the recipient of The Breathe Scholarship. I literally spent hour upon hour (upon hour) reading (and re reading) nearly 200 entries. Many of you moved me to tears, and I want you to know how touched I was by you genuinely sharing your hearts with me. This decision was a heavy one to carry; I took the process very seriously. Each.and.every.one.of.you is SO DESERVING. In the end I had to “simply” rely on my gut.

A HUGE congratulations to:

monique schaffer:
I admit it-- I had to go read their entries-- you are SO right in your choice! Have a blast girls and Crystalyn and Lindsay PLEASE post about your experiance. All of the heart filled entries helped me to feel inspired. February 9, 2011 3:47 am

Lindsay Ross:
Is it weird to feel guilty about winning something. Something that so many other people wanted. It won't be wasted. I guarantee that. I need to be there. And am so grateful for the opportunity. Monique--thanks for being so gracious. I promise I will post about the experience and share anything I can. I still can't believe it's really true. I've read this post over and over and can't believe my name is on it. Thank you Natalie. Thank you a million times over. I'm grateful your "gut" told you I need some serious balance in my life. :) February 9, 2011 6:38 am

Casey:
As much as I would have loved to be there in February I am so happy for the women who won! Being happy in life is about lifting each other up and sharing in each other successes. Congrats Lindsey and Crystalyn! February 9, 2011 7:54 am

Shari:
wowza, ladies! congratulations! enjoy yourselves and soak it all in! i truly am so happy for you both and if you aren't already head over heels for Natalie, you will be! she is so genuine and down to earth. HAVE FUN BREATHING!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo February 9, 2011 1:11 pm

i won. I can’t believe i won. » Lindsay Ross Photography:
[...] to be there. 200 people entered. And then I got an e-mail. Congratulations was the title. She picked me. She picked me. It wasn’t random. She read through hundreds of submissions of why [...] February 15, 2011 8:01 pm

Like I was saying, I’m really in love with that guy. He’s one of my “first things.” In fact, he’s one of my very, very, very first things. (Sometimes, I’m afraid I might not make him feel that way, but he is.) The bottom line is, he’s neck deep in the most Earth rattling, amazing, wonderful, impressive, powerful andonandonandonandon project you could ever hope to imagine, and he needs my full focus to help move it toward completion.

belinda olsen:
I love the quote by Stephen R. Covey that you mentioned on your MTH page. It's soo true. Today my hubby and I had a very casual family home evening just talking and taking. It was great! Good luck with his project. Can't wait to hear the details! February 7, 2011 9:02 pm

shari:
don't fret my pet...enjoy being there for him...that is where you should be! and I love that pic...priceless! i should have my kids take more pics of brad and i together...thanks for the push! February 8, 2011 7:36 am

Angel Naivalu:
I just want to know what he's up to NOW! When can I know? February 8, 2011 7:49 pm

natalie:
The comment section of my posts has become my source of inspiration in life. Thanks all you beautiful people who are so loving and supportive and committed to awesomeness in your lives. You make me want to be better. xx! N February 10, 2011 10:45 pm

I really don’t know what to say about Kit and Nichole that wouldn’t sound trite or contrived. They are honestly two of the most laid back, down to Earth. . . NORMAL people I’ve ever met. (If you know me at all, you know that “normal” is the very highest of compliments in my book.) All day long, I felt like I was simply among friends. I felt like a was a part of the wedding, not at all like I was on the outside looking in. They are the kind of kindhearted, generous, and completely hilarious friends that dreams are made of. It was a beautiful day. In every sense of the word. I feel so blessed to have been a part of their perfect Turtle Bay wedding. . . (5 minutes from my house).

And then, we danced. And danced. And danced and danced and danced and danced.

Amanda:
Wow, Natalie. Those pics are amazing; love the nose picker one and the sunglasses for each guest? How fun! February 7, 2011 11:41 am

cassidy bunker:
oh i love the babies with the rockin glasses in the grass. too precious those girls are adorable! February 8, 2011 12:59 pm

natalie:
It was such a wonderful event. Everyone was so happy and relaxed. The "vibe" for lack of a better, less hippie sounding word, was such a testimony to what wonderful people Nichole and Kip are. It was a great great day. February 10, 2011 10:47 pm

natalie:
Cassidy, Amen. Such wonderful pictures huh? I wish they were of my own kids! ;) February 10, 2011 10:47 pm

I don’t traditionally review books here, but oh my goodness. This book made me laugh out loud. Repeatedly. Raleigh (7) was teary eyed with delight. I highly recommend it for families with elementary aged kids. It would make a great gift! Born Yesterday: The Diary of a Young Journalist

Here’s a particularly delightful excerpt:

“March 22nd. Finally–I have it figured out. Some things are noses, some are taxicabs, and some are Belgians. The up end of people is their hairstyles and the down end is their tootsie-wootsies. These tootsie-wootsie things are fascinating. I plan to write a book about them. My sister paints her tootsie-wootsie nails a special color called striped. I can’t wait till I can paint my tootsie-wootsie nails the color called striped, and thus become a super-chick person like my sister. For now, I just lift them to my mouth and suck.”

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